Finding the right gym

Finding the right gym can be make-or-break in your health and fitness goals.

LOCATION

Find a gym close to work or home. If it’s not, you won’t go. Even better if you can leave some gym gear and a towel there in your own locker.

COST

Make sure there are no hidden costs, and look for inclusions such as initiation sessions, trial periods and cooling off periods.

MEMBERSHIP

Visit a couple of times to check out the kind of company you will be keeping. If you are uncomfortable working out in a male dominated environment, go for a female-only gym. Ask about the

social opportunities and events.

FITNESS ASSESSMENT

Many gyms offer a fitness assessment to test body fat, cardiovascular strength, upper and lower body strength, flexibility and core strength. These assessments give your gym an understanding of your fitness levels, strengths and weaknesses, and allow them to recommend classes and goals.

EQUIPMENT

You want a good selection of easy to use equipment addressing cardio, strength and flexibility. Cardio equipment should offer information such as kilojoules burned, heart rate and distance

covered.

WEIGHTS

Most experts say weight training is essential to any fitness regime. A good gym will offer a variety of both machines and handweights, so you have a choice how you work out.

GROUP CLASSES

Ideally you want a gym that offers a good variety of classes, from stretch to spin. Barre body classes, that combine ballet, Pilates and yoga, are very hot at the moment, as are spin classes that

include lights or amazing music. But other faves such as yoga, stretch, strength-based classes, cardio tone and Zumba, are great additions.